During exam season, it is easy to hibernate in the library or your room, studying and revising until the early hours. It is well known that the student population becomes insular and self-focussed as everyone tries to not only survive but succeed in exam season. But as followers of Jesus, we are set apart from the world; we are called to be missional, outwards focussed and servant-hearted in a world that is inwards looking, including during exam season!
How to Love Your Friends in Exam Season
So what would it look like to serve your friends while you’re all going through exams? How can you love your neighbour in the midst of dissertation deadlines? Here are some simple practical tips to help you to be missional in the middle of the assessment mayhem.
Prayer
Never underestimate the power of prayer! Pray for them in your quiet time, but also offer to pray for them in person or over text, or simply let them know you are praying for them and if they have any requests to shoot them your way. A great way of doing this is to put their exam times/deadlines in your calendar and pray for them during their exam! All in all, just pray
James 15:16 - The prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results
Encouragement
Encouragement goes a long way! Stress can make us weary and disheartened, we start to believe we are not capable or not good enough. A simple message or letter to a friend filled with truth and love goes a long way to cheering up a heavy heart. Remind those around you (and yourself) that your grades don’t define you, you are worth more than your results and that you are loved more than any mark could measure.
Proverbs 16:24 - Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Acts of service
If you are already making dinner for yourself, why not invite a friend over and offer to cook for them too? It is a wonderful thing to share food and company with a friend as a way of showing them you value them and love them. It is also just a great practical way to show the love of Jesus to your mates when they get so busy they forget or are too tired to cook. Show God’s love for them in words AND deeds.
James 2:15-17 - Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith without action is dead.
Show Up
Often one of the best ways we can show people Jesus’ love is just by simply showing up! Why not offer to be a study buddy to a friend? Easy ways of doing this include just working together in a coffee shop or library, hanging out on facetime while you study remotely. Another great way of doing this is to get yoru friends out of the work headspace - take a friend for a walk in nature, go to the gym together or even just sit in silence and watch a film together. Just show up.
Hebrews 10:25 - “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”
These are some simple top tips to help you love and serve your friends during exam season. Why not give them a try?
